Philosopher Huge LaFollette is the author of "Personal Relationships: Love, Identity, and Morality" (1996). LaFollette studies close personal relationships. These are intimate or loving relationships.

LaFollette explains that close, personal relationships entail partners' commitment to making the interests and needs of one's partner become one's own interests and needs. These relationships are, therefore, close, personal, intimate, loving, and committed to mutualizing each other's interests and needs. Continued...